Cats and Toxoplasmosis
Susan Little, DVM, DABVP (Feline)
©2008
Toxoplasmosis is caused by the microscopic parasite,
Toxoplasma gondii
. This parasite
can infect almost all mammals including
humans, but domestic cats and their wild
relatives are the definitive hosts
(i.e. the parasite requires a cat
to complete its life cycle).
...
Affected kittens may have inflammation of the lungs, liver, and central nervous system
. Fluid can accumulate in the abdomen. Cats
infected after birth may have
clinical signs that include
loss of appetite, lethargy, and
trouble breathing due to pneumonia. Other clinic
al signs can include
fever, weight loss,
jaundice, vomiting, diarrhea, stiff gait, shif
ting leg lameness and neurologic problems.
Inflammation of the retina in the eye can also occur